The parable of the lost sheep is one of the more well-known parables of Jesus. It teaches us of God’s love for us, even when we wander away from Him. It also shows us what our attitude should be toward those who wander off and are restored. It is good to be reminded of parables like this one, and also to make the proper application. Let us consider this parable together.
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7).
In order to understand the point of the parable, we need to recognize the circumstances in which it was given. Luke noted that “the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near [Jesus] to listen to Him” (Luke 15:1). Yet the parable was not directed at them. Instead, Jesus told it to Pharisees and scribes who “began to grumble” against Him because these individuals were coming to Him (Luke 15:2-3).
In the parable, Jesus described a man with one hundred sheep, and one of them wandered off. Rather than throwing up his hands and immediately giving up on the wayward sheep, he left to find it. Amazingly, he was successful, and when he returned with it, he rejoiced with his friends and neighbors. The sheep in the parable represent God’s people – those who already belonged in the fold, whether faithful or wayward.
Stating the Point of the Parable
Jesus clearly articulated His point: “There [is] more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7). Why would He say this?
On one hand, we know that every soul is important and equally valuable to God. This is the reason why He instituted the death penalty for murder in the beginning: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Paul emphasized the importance of each member of the church in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 12:14-27). Whether one remains in the fold or has wandered off, God sees him as important (either to preserve or to restore). We should recognize the same value in our brethren.
However, those who wander off are in danger. Jesus is “the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). Therefore, when we turn away from Him, we are in danger of death. James explained the seriousness of the situation: “Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20). The “death” he referred to was spiritual death caused by their separation from God.
It is harder to save one who has wandered off than to keep the other sheep safe. Not only that, but Peter explained that it is often more difficult to restore one who has abandoned the faith than to convert someone for the first time: “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them” (2 Peter 2:20-21). Knowing this reality, especially if we have personally seen brethren forsake the Lord and turn back to the world, it is no wonder that Jesus would emphasize the joy that exists when one of these wayward souls is restored.
Overstating the Point of the Parable
However, while we need to appreciate Jesus’ point in the parable, we need to be careful not to take it too far. “More joy” over one who repents does not mean that the wayward sheep is more important than the others. In our zeal to restore one who has fallen away, we must not neglect the ones who are faithful. Otherwise, they may also wander off.
When we read Jesus’ parable and picture in our minds the scene He described, we may envision not just a sheep but a helpless baby lamb that is completely unaware of how it got separated from the flock. Yet we need to be careful not to read too much into the parable and imagine a point that Jesus never said.
Keep in mind that the one who wandered off is not an innocent victim. We are indeed helpless and hopeless without Christ (Romans 5:6; Ephesians 2:12). However, when one wanders away from Christ, it is because he has chosen to sin and needs to repent. James explained, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren” (James 1:14-16). Too often, we allow ourselves to be “deceived” by ignoring the sin that leads us away from Christ. James went on to say that we must put away sin and obey the word of the Lord: “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:21-22).
When “one” sheep wanders off, the “ninety-nine” cannot be neglected. It may be tempting to spend all of our time and energy on rescue missions, but the “ninety-nine” still need to be kept safe and receive the provisions they need. Paul admonished the Ephesian elders, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:28-30). There would surely be some from that “flock” who would wander back into the world. And while these elders should try to help turn them “from the error of [their] way” (James 5:20), they needed to continue to watch over, feed, and protect the ones who remained. This applies not only to elders but also to preachers, fellow church members, parents, and others.
Making Some Applications
As we consider Jesus’ parable, what are some applications we can make from it?
First, we need to try to restore those who have wandered away from the Lord. We do this by turning them from their sin. Again, James wrote, “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). However, this is only possible if that one is willing to turn back to the Lord. The Hebrew writer explained that it is “impossible to renew them again to repentance” as long as they continue to “crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame” (Hebrews 6:6). They have to come to their senses as the prodigal son did (Luke 15:17), and experience “godly sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:10-11) before any effort to restore them will be successful.
Second, we need to welcome back those who return to the Lord. Remember, Jesus told this parable to the Pharisees and scribes who grumbled over Jesus welcoming the tax collectors and sinners who wanted to listen to Him (Luke 15:1-3). When someone returns to the Lord, it is a cause for rejoicing. Jesus emphasized this in three consecutive parables – the lost sheep (Luke 15:6-7), the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), and the lost (prodigal) son (Luke 15:20-24). Failure to forgive a penitent brother can drive him back into the world. Paul warned the Corinthians of this after a brother among them was in sin, was the subject of church discipline, realized his error, and repented. Paul wrote, “Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him” (2 Corinthians 2:6-8). Remember what we noticed earlier: it is more difficult to restore a brother who has departed from the faith. Yet in this case, he was returning to the church in Corinth. But if they refused to forgive him and welcome him back into fellowship, he might fall back into the world and never be turned back again.
Finally, we need to continue to care for those who are faithful. We can do this as individuals by offering regular encouragement to our brethren. The Hebrew writer said, “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-13). This regular encouragement can help keep our brethren from becoming discouraged and falling away from the Lord. We also do this by assembling with the local church of which we are a member. The Hebrew writer explained, “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Some may be in the habit of forsaking the assembly. While we should want to reach them and win them back, we must not neglect the assembly ourselves. The rest of the brethren need the encouragement we can offer (just as we need the same encouragement from them).
Conclusion
Jesus is the good shepherd. He provides us with all that we need and protects us from harm. We wander away from Him when we are led astray by sin. Those who go astray need to be restored. Yet at the same time, those who are following Christ need to be encouraged to continue.
All of us need to follow the Lord. If our brethren wander away from Him, we should do what we can to help restore them. At the same time, we need to help one another (those who are faithful) to stay faithful. If we neglect to do this, we may find the number who remain in the fold quickly dwindle as they, too, wander off.
